Martinez Finally Speaks & Asks For Forgiveness

Roberto Martinez has spoken for the first time to BBC Sport after joining Wigan Athletic as their new manager.

Many fans have been angered by his silence this month since he was linked with a move away at the start of June. First Celtic made an approach and Wigan followed with their keen interest in the Spaniard.

When he first arrived as our new manager 2 years ago, he said he'd have to forced out to leave the club. He also spoke about how much he loved and respected the club during his spell here and spoke about his long-term plans about getting us into the Premiership.

Not only that, but he criticised those players who lacked loyalty and those who decided to leave the club, but Martinez has, in the end, done exactly what they did.

Martinez was asked about his comment about being forced out to ever leave the Swans, and he said:

'I'm only asking fans to forgive me and understand me because it's a decision I had to make,'

'Probably not many people would understand, but in time it will settle a little bit more.'

'I wanted that [to be forced out] to happen but obviously there are situations that develop in certain ways and you need to make a decision.'

'I would just say to the fans to try to look back at the last two-and-a-half years - I gave absolutely everything.'

'My contract has been bought out now and I think the compensation is going to help the football club to get into the next level,'

'I just want to let the fans know my feelings towards Swansea City will never change.'

'Wigan is a football club where I started a relationship back in 1995,'

'It's a club that allowed me to come to the British game and we shared huge experiences. Since then, we've had a very special relationship.

'Now to be able to manage the football club in the Premier League at only 35 shows a huge commitment from them and is a great challenge to be able to take.'

After a long on-going saga regarding a compensation fee for Roberto Martinez and the 4 other managerial staff, his move was finally finalised yesterday afternoon, and at last the Swans can move on with their task of appointing his replacement.